K'shalt Chronicles - Iceflame (B1)

Almost goodbye

     Pyro

     Class went by pretty quickly after lunch, at least it felt pretty quick.  Kam and I agreed on training times, and he fought a couple more guys, and one girl.  The rest of us were put in to groups of five, and practiced our fighting against multiple opponents.  Kam knocked the one guy unconscious, almost beat the second, and was evenly matched with the girl; they agreed on a forfeit.  On the other hand, I was sizing up Jeff, with Kora, Jay and Benn.  

     Jeff was a fairly muscular guy, but he didn't pay enough attention to his surroundings.  The four of us had already deducted this and were circling him, Kora and Ben one way, Jay and I the other to confuse him.

     It seemed to be working, he continuously looked from side to side, trying to know where the four of us were at all times.  Our unspoken plan was for Kora, with the firmest grip, to tackle him from behind and get him in a headlock. As soon as he hit the ground, the rest if us would hold down his arms and legs, preventing escape or struggle.  We would stay that way until he either passed out, or tapped out. 

    We'd been circling for awhile now, why hasn't Kora attacked yet?  I spared a glance in her direction, she was getting herself ready. She lunged, and knocked Jeff off his feet, despite his size compared to hers, even as he turned to see what I had been looking at.  Jay grabbed one arm, and I grabbed the other while Benn, being the strongest, grabbed Jeff' s feet.  I looked up at Jeff, he was grunting and bucking uselessly as his face began changing colour.  I shuddered to myself, I hated being in that position, it was awful feeling yourself go. 

     Jeff's face now had a blue-purple tinge, and I could see a vein sticking out on his forehead.  Then his struggles began to weaken and his eyes fluttered closed.  Kora immediately loosened her hold, as did the rest of us.  Then Jeff jumped up and grabbed me around the neck in a choke hold.  Damn...   "Never let go of your opponent unless you know for sure that you're done" he rasped, tightening his hold.  God...  And a couple seconds ago I was thinking about how much I disliked this.  Okay, I was kind of pissed, mostly at myself for letting my guard down, but also at the fact that I'm not allowed to use my fire, or even heat up for that matter.  My vision was a little fuzzy now, black spots swimming at the edges...  But I could see Jay, looking a little worried, and Kora, sizing up the new situation. But where was Benn?  Well... by the time any of them got anything done, I'd probably be gone, and miss the fight, so I needed to do this on my own. 

     The only thing that restrained me was my lack of oxygen, so... Jeff's a guy, ah... haha, sorry 'bout this man.  I stepped forwards with one foot, and kicked him in the groin as hard as I could.  He let go of me instantly and doubled over on himself, I felt bad, but only for a split second as I hit the ground on my knees hacking and gasping for air. 

   I heard a hollow thump from somewhere above me, So that's where Benn went...  Then I felt a crushing weight from above, as everything went black.

     When I woke up, Benn, Kora, Jay and Jeff, with a bucket of cold water, were staring down on me, disappointment evident in their eyes.  I quietly thanked Jeff for waiting before dumping the water on me.  I decided to try out my voice, "Hhhuuu... how long... was I out for guys?" Damn my throat hurts... bad. But then and again, Jeff's probably still hurts too... amongst other things... poor sap.

    "Not too long, Py, don't worry." Jeff said, frowning at the hoarseness in his own voice. "I only woke up a few seconds ago too... wait, so I don't really know," he laughed, stopping abruptly and settling for a grin when he realized it hurt his throat.

   "Neither of you were out long," Jay piped up, "See, Coach hasn't even noticed yet." she motioned in Coach's direction.

   "Oh okay then," I rasped, "So... who now?"

    "Well, it was going to be you Py" Benn replied, "but if you aren't up for it right now..."  I snorted and smiled,

"Are you kidding man?" I sunk in to my fighting stance, "I was born ready!" Kora laughed while Benn just shook his head and looked at the ground, trying not to smile.

     The rest of the class went more or less the same way, but I at least managed to stay conscious.  As the bell rang it's final time and the class began leaving, I heard the crunch of gravel alerting me to a presence behind me, as Coach spoke up from behind me,

  "Pyro?"

I turned around, and asked gently, "Yeah Coach?"

     He shifted a bit, and did his best to look me in the eye, "I'm gonna miss 'avin you in the class, Pyre.  You'll be a great guardian, y'know?  And wif Scarle't an all, you'll be da best.  Remember that, eh?"  He tried for a smile, but it was forced and sad looking.  I nodded, his eyes had a slight sheen to them, as I was sure mine did, I didn't trust myself to speak yet.  "You come an visit 'ere once an aw'ile, eh?  Let tha new ones kno what they can do if they try." He stepped forwards and put a hand on my shoulder,

"I-I will Coach, don't worry"  My voice wavered slightly.

The hand on my shoulder gave a gently squeeze, then pushed me towards the door, "Y'all better git 'ome den, I'll see yas at da cer'mony, a'right?" 

I nodded, "Yeah, I'll see you there"  And with that, I was out the door and on my way down the halls.